United dominate Highlands

TWO FIRST-HALF goals laid the foundation for SuperSport United’s well-taken 2-0 win over high-riding Highlands Park in the Absa Premiership match at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa, yesterday.

Highlands came into the match chasing a fifth straight home win in all competitions, but their defence was found wanting and SuperSport exploited their shortcomings. Afterwards, Highlands coach Owen da Gama referred to the shortcomings as “schoolboy errors”.

SuperSport, fresh from a

2-0 victory over Bidvest Wits, repeated the feat against Highlands who on the day lacked attacking spark.

The teams started tentatively with Highlands a shade quicker on the ball. Highlands managed a few early runs deep into SuperSport’s half without causing problems for the defence.

Once the game settled down, SuperSport’s preferred possessionbased game plan, gave them the ascendency and they looked threatening when attacking down the wide channels.

One such attack down the right, sparked by Dean Furman, led to the opening goal of the match. Once Congolese midfielder Guily Manziba picked up Furman’s feed he hit in a goalmouth cross from wide out and the Highland’s rearguard failed to deal with the danger. Striker Aubrey Modiba was left unmarked and steered the ball past Marlon Heugh, the Highlands shot-stopper, in the 23rd minute.

Manziba was later named Man of the Match.

Two minutes before half-time, Highlands were again punished for their poor defence.

This time they gifted Bradley Grobler a goal after a SuperSport corner taken by Sipho Mbule.

As the ball floated across the central area of the penalty box the Highlands defence were guilty of ball watching and left Grobler unmarked to head the ball home with the greatest of ease.

Highlands showed more purpose in the second half but couldn’t break through the resolute SuperSport defence.